Herbert Smith (trade unionist)

Herbert Smith (17 July 1862 – 16 June 1938) was a British trade unionist and miner.

Born in Kippax, West Yorkshire, Smith was orphaned at a young age and spent time in a workhouse before being adopted by a local couple, one of whom was a miner.

[1] Smith then studied in Glasshoughton and Pontefract, and began working as a miner at the age of ten.

Smith became active in his union, being elected to the branch committee at the age of seventeen, then in 1894 becoming a checkweighman.

He was active in support of the UK general strike of 1926, but resigned as MFGB President in 1929, objecting to the organisation's agreement to lengthen miners' hours.